Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission which visited the country from 19 to 25 October, estimated 1996 aggregate cereal production on the basis of the agricultural survey at 2 325 000 tons. This is 10 percent more than in 1995 and 4 percent above the average of the last five years. Above all, sorghum production has increased while rice production is similar to 1995 results. Infestations of Desert Locust in Tamesna were reported to be decreasing by late November and early December as most had fledged into immature adults. Scattered adults were seen at In Zinkad and in the Iguidi area up to 8 December.
Following an above-average harvest, the food supply is anticipated to remain mostly stable in 1996/97. However, several populations are particularly vulnerable following poor crops, notably in Tanout area, in Zinder department, where population movements have been reported in early December. The national early warning system estimated that the arrondissements of N�Guigmi, Ouallam, Tahoua, Tanout, Tchintabaraden and all the arrondissements of Agadez departments are particularly vulnerable. In addition, in early November, the national security stock was almost exhausted but funds from sales of cereals undertaken in 1996 or donors commitments for the stock�s reconstitution were registered. In late October, the marketing board (OPVN) launched a bid for the local purchase of 30 000 tons of millet for the reconstitution of the stock. On 11 December, the government launched an appeal for external assistance amounting to 118 000 tons of cereals. In late December, a joint FAO/WFP/FEWS Mission will visit Zinder department to assess the situation of the vulnerable population and needs for external food assistance and non-food items including tools, seeds and logistic support. The Government has already requested OPVN to undertake distribution of 100 tons of cereals.